Abstract: An impact pad, for use in a T-shaped tundish, comprises a base having an impact surface and an outer side wall extending upwardly therefrom and defining an interior space having an upper opening for receiving a stream of molten metal, the interior space being divided into two regions by a separating wall provided with at least one passageway for the molten metal stream. The separating wall is at least three times higher than the outer side wall and is inclined with respect to the vertical. This impact pad increases the homogeneity of the molten steel cast from the different outlets of the T-shaped tundish and provides equal or relatively similar residence times of the molten steel discharged through the different outlets of the tundish. This impact pad also permits a fast transition of the steel quality at ladle change while retaining the advantages of conventional impact pads.

Abstract: Stopper rods (22) for the continuous casting of molten metal have a stopper rod body (22-3), and a stopper rod tip (22-1) at a lower end of the stopper rod body. The stopper rod tip defines a frustoconically shaped exterior surface (22-1a) which terminates in a recessed nose (22-1b). The recessed nose is most preferably a curvilinear surface (e.g., a spherical segment), but non-curvilinear surfaces (e.g., prismatic, pyramidal, triangular, and quadrangular surfaces) may alternatively be employed. The frustoconically shaped exterior surface (22-1a) of the stopper rod tip most preferably forms an angle ? with respect to a horizontal plane which is sufficiently great so as to increase the velocity of the flowing molten metal to reduce the boundary layer thickness thereof adjacent the nozzle and stopper rod tip surfaces so as to minimize the deposition of inclusions thereon. Preferably the angle ? is greater than 70°.

Abstract: Disclosed are a foamable resin composition which comprises a copolymer with a weight-average molecular weight of 150,000-350,000 produced by copolymerization of a monomer mixture of 55-85% by weight of styrene and 45-15% by weight of a methacrylic acid ester represented by general formula (I)CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)COOR (I)(wherein R represents a C.sub.

Abstract: A feeder sleeve (1') for use in the casting of molten metal has a cavity (8) whose cross-sectional area at the bottom of the cavity (8) is greater than the cross-sectional area at the top of the cavity (8) such that a line joining a point (11.1) on the inner surface (11) of the sleeve at the bottom of the cavity (8) and the nearest point (11.2) on the inner surface (11) of the sleeve at the top of the cavity (8) is less than 80.degree. to the horizontal. The inner surface of the sleeve may taper from the bottom of the cavity to the top of the cavity uniformly or in at least one step (12).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and feeder sleeves are described for producing casting moulds having feeder sleeves incorporated therein in instances when the mould pattern plate or the cope mould are not accessible. Two part feeder patterns having a lower part and an upper part and feeder sleeves whose lateral surface tapers from the bottom and to the top end of the sleeve are used. For moulds having a side feeder the lower part of the pattern produces a depressed seating surface for the feeder sleeve in the drag mould and the upper part which has substantially the same taper as the taper of the feeder sleeve and dimensions greater than the corresponding dimensions of the lateral surface of the feeder sleeve produces a cavity in the cope mould. The cope and drag moulds are closed in such a manner that the central vertical axis of the cavity in the cope mould is in line with the central vertical axis of the feeder sleeve, and there is a gap between the wall of the cavity and the outer lateral surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device for holding hot top lining slab (1) in ingot mould head comprises strap-receiving portion (4) and strap (3), either being securable to the slab, in which the portion (4) includes latch part (11) extending towards path of movement of the strap (3) when receiving in the portion (4) and the strap (3) has disposed on a side thereof a plurality of spaced apart latching parts (8) complementary to the latch part (11) of the portion (4), with another side of the strap (3) being free of such latching parts, whereby when a side of the strap (3) free of latching parts is presented to the latch part (11) of the portion (4), the strap (3) is free to move through that portion and when the strap (3) is moved to present a side having the latching parts (8) to the latch part (11) of the portion (4), the strap (3) is caused to engage with the portion (4).